Black & Blue Lives Matter

The crowd gathered on the historic North Common near Town Hall

They formed a large circle and interlocked hands and arms

The demonstration on the Amherst Town Common to protest two recent killings of black men by police was planned before the horrific events of last night, where five Dallas police officers were murdered in cold blood.

 Amilcar Shabazz being interviewed by local TV station

The peaceful event this evening drew a large crowd of nearly 200 participants of every age, gender, and ethnicity.

Prominent local black activists addressed the somber gathering from inside the circle and Trevor Baptiste asked them to pray for ALL the victims of senseless violence this week both black and white.

 Kathleen Anderson, Amilcar Shabazz, Trevor Baptiste

Amherst police presence was practically non existent, although a Massachusetts State Police helicopter ambled around the common a few times low and slow before leaving the scene.

MSP Air 1

Meanwhile the main town flag on the common is flying at half staff for the next five days at Governor Baker's order,  "in honor of the five fallen officers in Dallas, TX."

DUI Dishonor Roll X Two

About one-third of drivers arrested for drunk driving are repeat offenders

Amherst and Belchertown police each took an impaired driver off the road last weekend and in each case it was the perp's second offense.  Of course with Mass law the 3rd time is the charm, where the potentially deadly violation becomes a felony offense. 

 Gregory White, age 32 (APD booking photo)

Click to enlarge/read

In Eastern Hampshire District Court on Tuesday both defendants had their cases continued to next month.

Gregory Glenn age 28

All You Need Is Love

Dallas slaughter of five officers greatest loss of life for police since 9/11

Shots fired in Dallas!  Again.

Fifty three years ago, an ambush on a slow moving Presidential motorcade sent our nation into a prolonged period of shock and grief.  Dallas would become branded as the "City of Hate".

Last night that hate manifested itself once again in a cold hearted, calculated attack on men and women in blue just doing their job, killing five.

Ironically those officers were originally on scene to oversee a citizen protest of two horrific police involved shootings of black men.

And even as officers tried desperately to tend to their own fallen comrades others risked their lives to ensure the safety of those citizens who had gathered to protest them in the first place. Because that's the nature of their calling.

At the height of the Vietnam war demonstrators used the catchphrase, "Killing for peace is like fucking for chastity."  Indeed.

Peacekeepers killing innocent civilians is wrong, as is ambushing peacekeepers just doing their job.  Or as my Irish mother used to say, "Two wrongs don't make a right."

To peacefully gather and petition our government for a "redress of grievances" is one of the most sacred rights we have as Americans. 

This outbreak of senseless violence threatens to bring about the exact opposite:  martial law.

A sad state affairs, here in the "land of the free."

Off The Streets (For Now)

APD arrests Paul Scace, age 54, June 30th at CVS

Paul Scace a "frequent flyer" with our first responders who lists his address as "streets of Amherst" was sentenced to ten days in the House of Correction after he pleaded "guilty" yesterday to the charge of "trespass" at the CVS in town center.

 Paul Scace (APD booking photo)

Which means he will not be out in time for the July 14th town sponsored community forum on homelessness .

One For Two

Centrally located Amity Street lot should reopen tomorrow

Our downtown is about half done with construction projects as the most popular downtown parking lot, adjacent to Amherst Cinema and the Jones Library, reopens for business (any minute now).

But construction continues in the north end of downtown as our DPW is preparing the area for the removal of ugly above ground utility poles, which hopefully will be completed before the lifeblood of our community -- college aged youth -- come flocking back to town the middle of next month.

 Triangle/East Pleasant intersection yesterday.  Next year will become roundabout

Another Icon Gone

Stan Ziomek, aka "Mr. Baseball"

The man who made baseball, Amherst, and civic engagement his life's work has been called back.

But his memories will remain in the most prominent playing field in town named in his honor, the generations of players who came up under his tutelage or anyone who interacted with him via the Rotary, Recreation Department or his long time spent as DPW Director and Tree Warden.

 Ziomek Field, the little office he used to hand out baseball uniforms (far left) and War Memorial Pool he made happen

While I was never particularly adept at the great game of baseball I learned from Stan how to work hard at what you love, play fair, and never, ever, surrender. Qualities that served me well in sport karate.

So long Stan.  Enjoy the view.  You now have the best seat in the house.

Click frame for better viewing

SJC Approves Pot Question

If Amherst's medical market is $10 million what will the recreation market be?

The November 8th ballot will spark a historic turnout in our little college town as it becomes a perfect storm for generating interest:  A Presidential contest, a marijuana legalization question and a local pocket book issue with a $30+ million Debt Exclusion Override for a new Amherst elementary Mega School.

Today the State Judicial Supreme Court unanimously (7-0) approved placing the legalization of recreational marijuana on the November 8th ballot, but did slap the Attorney General for her original wording of the question.

The new wording for the title of the question is:

"Legalization, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana."

And the summary is as follows:

"A yes vote would allow persons 21 or older to possess, use and transfer marijuana and products containing marijuana concentrate (including edible products) and to cultivate marijuana, all in limited amounts,  and would provide for the regulation and taxation of commercial sale of marijuana and marijuana products."